The United States is weighting sanctions and Pentagon intervention in efforts to protect Christians from persecution by the Nigerian government.
During a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing, Bureau of African Affairs Ambassador Jonathan Pratt declared that it is in the interest of the United States to “work with the Nigerian government on a plan of action to strengthen security for at-risk Christian communities and Nigerians of all faiths whose ability to practice their faith is put in jeopardy by endemic violence and terrorism.”
Pratt explained that the Trump administration is developing a plan to “incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom.” The plan will weigh sanctions as well as “possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism and other efforts to protect religious communities.”
The Trump administration is further “reviewing assistance resources that could be allocated to bolster protection of communities in the Middle Belt,” Pratt added. “We will also continue to work with the Nigerian government to stem the flow of weapons, fighters, and funding to violent Islamist extremists. Our hope is that our efforts will push the Nigerian government to take measurable steps that will improve security, accountability, and religious liberty.”
President Trump’s involvement in the matter underscores the administration’s value of religious freedom. “The levels of violence and atrocities committed against Christians and communities of all faiths in Nigeria are appalling and threaten this universal right,” he noted. “We remain open to working together with the Nigerians, but we also expect the Nigerian government to deliver results on the ground as proof of their commitment to this universal right.”
Trump moved to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” in October. He declared on Truth Social at the time that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
